Sorting apparatus



Oct. M, 1958 v. L. WIILLIAMSON SORTING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledApril 24, 1956 \N w Mn .mm

ATTORNEY? V. L. WILLIAMSON SORTING APPARATUS Oct. 14, 1958 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 24, 1956 tween the work platforms.

SORTING APPARATUS Victor L. Williamson, Daly City, Calif.

Application April 24, 1956, Serial No. 580,385

3 Claims. (Cl. 209-125) This invention relates generally to sortingapparatus and more particularly to sorting apparatus for use in cleaningestablishments.

Heretofore, in cleaning establishments, the sorting of clothes afterthey have been cleaned has been a laborious and time consuming task. Ingeneral, few, if any, mechanical contrivances were used to facilitatesuch sorting.

'In general, it is an object of the present invention to provide asorting apparatus which facilitates the sorting of articles such asclothing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sorting apparatus of theabove character in which the articles can be sorted into a plurality ofcompartments or bins.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sorting apparatus of theabove character in which the clothing is not damaged while it is beingsorted and which protects the articles after they have been sorted.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sorting apparatus of theabove character in which the workers receiving the assorted articles donot interfere with the workers doing the sorting.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sorting apparatus of theabove character having a particularly novel bin construction andarrangement.

Additional objects of the invention will appear .from the followingdescription in which the prefered embodiment is set forth in detail inconjunction with the accompanying drawing.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure l is a side elevation-a1 view with certain parts cut away showinga sorting apparatus incorporating the present invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the sorting apparatus shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along theline '3--3 of Figure1.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 44 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an enlargeddetail view of one of the doors to the bins.

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail view taken along the line 6-6 of Figure3.

Figure 7 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 77 of Figure 6.

In general, the present invention consists of a .pair of raisedplatforms and an endless conveyor mounted be- A bin assembly is mountedadjacent each of the work platforms opposite the conveyor and is adaptedto receive the articles as they are sorted. Each of the bin assembliesoverlies a work area and is adapted to discharge the sorted articlesonto a work table which is adapted to be moved into a region underlyingthe discharge openings of the bin assembly.

The sortingapparatus illustrated in the drawing consists of a framework11 which carries a pair of work platforms 12 and 13. An endless conveyor14 is mounted on the framework 11 between the platforms v12 and '13 andextends for a substantial distance along the length asaasri n 41 of thework platforms. Bin assemblies 16 are mounted on the framework 11 on thesides of the platforms 12 and 13 opposite that of the conveyor, but in aregion in the vicinity of the conveyor 14. Each of the bin assembliesoverlies a work region 17 and a plurality of work tables 18 which areadapted to be moved into this work region.

The framework 11 is made up of sections 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d and 11e tofacilitate moving. Each section is fabricated of suitable material suchas steel and can consist of lateral channel members 21 which rest uponleg members 22 connected by bracing members 23. A plurality oflongitudinal channel members 24 are mounted on and extend across the topof the lateral members 21 to connect the lateral members 21 and toprovide a support for the work platforms 12 and 13 and the binassemblies 16.

As previously stated, an endless conveyor 14 is mounted between the workplatforms 12 and 13 and comprises an endless conveyor belt 29 ofsuitable material such as canvas which is supported by a plurality ofrollers journalled in a conveyor framework 32. The endless conveyor belt29 is carried at an elevation above the work platforms 12 and 13 andpreferably it should be carried at a height which is convenient toworkers standing on the platforms 12 and 13 as shown in Figure 3. Theconveyor belt is driven by a drive roller 33 also journalled in theframework 32 and the drive roller 33 is driven by a chain and sprocketwheel assembly 34. The chain and sprocket wheel assembly is driven by agearing 36 which is driven by a motor 37 mounted on the framework 32.The conveyor belt 2? is maintained is a taut condition by a tensionroller 38 which is journalled in the framework 32 and adapted to bemoved longitudinally of the belt to loosen or tighten the belt bytension bolt apparatus 39 well known to those skilled in the art.

As can be seen from Figure 1, the conveyor belt 29 moves in a clockwisedirection and serves to carry articles substantially from a ground levelto a level above the work platforms 12 and 13.

Any suitable means may be provided for feeding articles such as clothingonto the lower end of the conveyor belt 29, such as another conveyorassembly 42 which is adapted to carry the articles under spot removingstation 43 and discharge the articles onto the conveyor belt 29. The:conveyor assembly 42 is very similar to the endless conveyor 14 and isdriven by drive means 44 as shown. The articles of clothing may bedumped on the conveyor assembly 42 by manual or other suitable means.

Suitable control means (not shown) is provided for each of the motorsdriving conveyors 14 and 42 so that the conveyors can be operatedintermittently if desired. Such control is particularly desirous forconveyor 14 so that the work load to the sorters can be regulated.

The bin assemblies 16 consist of a plurality of bins 49 having openings51 which lie in a vertical plane. The openings are aligned in horizontaland vertical rows and face towards the endless conveyor 14. Each of thebins is provided with another opening 52 which is downwardly disposedfrom the opening 51 and faces into the work area 17.

The bin assemblies 16 are sectionalized into a plurality of vertical binsections 16a, 16b, 16c, etc. Each section is comprised of four bins andconsists of a pair of side walls 53 and 54, an inclined top wall 56, arear wall 57, an inclined bottom wall 58, another rear wall 59, a fiatbottom wall 61 and a front wall 62. Mounted within the enclosure formedby walls 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59, 61 and 62 are a plurality of inclinedwall partitions 63 which serve to divide the enclosure into the bins 49.The wall partitions are inclined beyond the angle of repose for apurpose hereinafter described.

Each of the openings 52 is adapted to be closed by suitable means suchas a door 66. One of the doors is shown in detail in Figure 5 andconsists of a flat member 67 which is pivotally connected to one side ofthe bin bysuitable means such as a piano hinge 68. The door' is mountedin such a manner that it will swing downwardly and outwardly away fromthe articles which may be resting in the bin. A suitable latch 69 ismounted on each door to hold the door in a closed position and consistsof a handle 71 which extends through the door and is connected to adisc-like member 72. A pair of bars '73 are pivotally mounted on thedisc 72 at 74 and extend through guides 76 mounted on member 67. Thebars are adapted to engage U-shaped members 77 mounted on the sidesadjacent the opening 52 of each of the bins to lock the doors in aclosed position. A cover or shield 73 is mounted on the member 67 andserves to cover the latch mechanism 69 to prevent damage to clothing. Althe doors are mounted in a similar manner and open into the work area17.

The bin sections are mounted side by side on the channel members 23 andare connected together by suitable means such as bolts 81 to form binassemblies. As shown in Figure 2, a bin assembly is mounted on each sideof the conveyor 14. The bin assemblies are tied together by anglemembers 32 which extend over the conveyor 14.

A plurality of work tables 18 are provided for each bin assembly andgenerally one work table underlies each four bin sections. Each of thework tables consists of a table top 88 which is mounted upon a pluralityof angle members 89. One end of the table top 88 is supported by legmembers 91 on which are mounted rollers 92. The other end of the tableopposite the end carried by the leg members 91 is provided with aplurality of casters 93 which are adapted to ride in the channel members21. It is apparent that the tables 18 are slidably mounted in theframework 11 and may be moved into and out of the work area 17 for apurpose hereinafter described.

Access stairs 96 are provided at each end of the work platform 12 sothat workers may readily mount the platforms 12 and 13. Handrails 97 areprovided for the safety of the workers.

A large bin 98 has been mounted on the framework 11 at the end of theconveyor 14 for a purpose hereinafter described.

The spot removing station 43 consists of a raised deck or wood platform1.01 which may be mounted by the use of stairs 102. Handrails 103 areprovided for safety of the workers. A spot removing table 164 overliesthe conveyors 42 and 14. A raised bin 106 is provided adjacent table 104for a purpose hereinafter described.

Operation of my sorting apparatus may now be described as follows: Letit be assumed that a large quantity of clothes had been received fromvarious retail estab-- lishments and that the clothes had been mixedtogether when they were cleaned. Let it also be assumed that the clothsare now ready to be sorted. First, all of the clothing that containsspots which'have not been removed by the conventional dry cleaningoperation are placed in the bin 166. The other clothes which have nospots and are ready to be sorted are placed on the conveyor 42 andtravel under the spot removing station 43 onto the conveyor 14 wherethey are elevated by the conveyor 14 into the vicinity of the workplatforms 12 and 13.

Now let it also be assumed that the bins 49 have been marked in asuitable manner to indicate the various retail establishments servicesby the dry cleaner. Let it further be assumed that the retailers havemarked the clothing with suitable tags or the like. Then as soon as thecleaned clothing reaches the workers standing on the platforms 12 and13, the workers examine the clothing to see whether any spots remain andat the same time examine the tags to determine which retailestablishment sent in the clothing. The worker or sorter then throws thepiece 4 of clothing through the proper opening 51 and into a bin 49.This operation continues until all of the clothes have been sorted.

It has been found that the novel bin assemblies herein provided makepossible the placement of a large number of bins within the reach of asorter or within a very few steps. The vertical openings in the binassemblies also facilitate throwing the clothes into the bins. The topsof the bins are covered to prevent dust or the like from fall- :ing intothe bins.

After the clothes have been sorted, or even while they are being sorted,the delivery man for the retail establishments enters the work area 17and determines which bins belong to his retailers. He then pulls out thetable 18 underlying his bins to position it so that when he opens thedoor 66 of the selected bin, the clothes will drop downwardly onto thetable 18. The clothes may then be picked up and placed in a package orthe like for delivery to the retailer. The same procedure is used foreach bin.

it should be noted that the table can be moved inwardly in guidechannels 21 to facilitate opening of the innermost bins. The doors 66open outwardly and downward- .ly to facilitate the clothes dropping outof the bin. The inclined partition walls 16 are inclined beyond theangle of repose so that the clothes will readily slide down through theopenings 52. However, the clothes must be lifted from the lowermost bin49.

Workers are also placed at the spot removing station 43 and manuallyremove any spots which may be remaining on the clothes which have beenplaced in the bin 106. As soon as the spots have been removed, theclothes are dropped onto the conveyor 14.

It has been found that some retailers like to remove their own spots andhence the bin 98 has been provided.

' Thus, when a quantity of clothes have been cleaned from which spotsneed not be removed, the clothes are placed on the conveyor 42 and theconveyor is operated continuously until all of the clothes aredischarged into the bin 98. The sorter then moves to bin 98 and sortsthose clothes directly from the bin rather than from the conveyor 14.

The tables 18 have been placed close together so that clothes will notfall between them. The tables generally are of such a size that eachtable will underlie the number of bins normally serviced by one deliveryman. By doing this, each delivery man has one work table for his ownuse.

It is apparent from the foregoing that I have provided a sortingapparatus which greatly facilitates the sorting of articles such asclothing. It has been found that such apparatus greatly expedites thesorting operation and at the same time greatly reduces the number ofsorters required. The sorting apparatus also reduces mix-ups inclothing.

I claim:

1. In a sorting apparatus, a framework, a raised work platform mountedon said framework, an endless conveyor mounted on said frameworkadjacent said platform, a bin assembly mounted on said framework in thevicinity of said conveyor, said bin assembly comprising a plurality ofbins, each of the bins having an opening lying in a substantiallyvertical plane and facing said conveyor, the openings in said bins andthe conveyor being accessible from the work platform whereby articlescarried by the conveyor may be sorted and placed in the bins, each ofthe bins having a bottom wall inclined beyond the angle of repose andhaving another opening downwardly disposed from said first named openingand facing into a work area, a substantial portion of the last namedopenings lying in a plane inclined from the vertical at more than 45, adoor mounted on each of said bins and normally closing the last namedopening in each of the bins, and a work table mounted under said binsand adapted to be moved into said work area to receive articles from thebins, the doors closingthe last named openings in the bins being adaptedto be opened while standing in front of the work table, said work tablebeing provided with a wheeled support at one end and having its otherend slidably mounted in the framework so that the table may be moved tofacilitate opening the doors.

2. In a sorting apparatus, a framework, an endless conveyor mounted onsaid framework, a work platform mounted on said framework on each sideof said conveyor and being at an elevation below that of the conveyor, abin assembly mounted on said framework on each side of said conveyor andadjacent the work platform on each side of the conveyor, the binassembly rising at an elevation above the work platform, each of the binassemblies comprising a plurality of bins having openings arranged invertical and horizontal rows, said openings lying in a substantiallyhorizontal plane and facing said conveyor, the openings in each of thebin assemblies and the conveyor being accessible from the work platformadjacent the bin assembly whereby articles carried by the conveyor maybe sorted and placed in the openings in the bin assembly, each of thebins having a bottom wall inclined beyond the angle of repose andanother opening downwardly disposed from the first named opening andfacing into a work area, a substantial proportion of the last namedopenings lying in a plane inclined from the vertical more than 45", adoor mounted on each of said bins and normally closing the last namedopening, and a work table, one end of said table having a wheeledsupport and the other end of said table being slidably accommodated inthe framework to permit the table to be moved in and out of said workarea into and out of a region underlying the last named openings in thebins to receive articles placed in the bins, the doors and the lastnamed openings in the bins being positioned to permit opening of thedoors while standing in front of the work table.

3. Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein predetermined doors upon openingswing downwardly and outwardly from the work area to permit articles inthe bins to fall freely onto the work table.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,616,693 Havighorst Feb. 8, 1927 1,847,264 Sandberg Mar. 1, 19322,054,843 Weber Sept. 22, 1936

